Montane Winter Spine

Montane Winter Spine

The Montane Winter Spine is a continuous winter race covering 268 miles along the Pennine Way from Edale in Derbyshire to Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders. Runners have a time limit of 156 hours to complete the route, which includes a total ascent of 10,732 metres and a total descent of 10,941 metres. The course passes through the Peak District, Yorkshire Dales, Northumberland National Park, Hadrian's Wall and the Cheviots. Daylight in January is about eight hours. Reported daytime temperatures range from 0°C to 10°C and night-time temperatures from -10°C to 2°C.

Entry requires applicants to be at least 21 years old. Qualifying experience for the full event includes completing a mountain, hill or moorland ultra over 100 miles or a previous Montane Spine Challenger event. Other relevant backgrounds can include mountain marathons, orienteering, fell races, or comparable expeditions; mountain rescue, mountaineering or military experience is also considered.

The race is non supported along the route, but runners may use cafes and pubs for shelter and food. At the main checkpoints listed by the organisers participants are offered hot meals and drinks, places to sleep, toilets and showers at selected locations, professional medical support, resupply bag handling, weather updates and race information, and volunteer assistance. The published entry fee for the event is £1,345, with a deposit option of £600 and the remaining balance due 100 days before the race. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.